Superintendent Emmanuel Eric Gyebi
In an escalating standoff with Ghana’s top police brass, including C.O.P. Paul Manly Awini and Inspector General Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, the head of the Cyber Crime Unit, Superintendent Emmanuel Eric Gyebi, has taken his fight against a controversial transfer to court. Gyebi, who oversees Ghana’s only Cyber Crime and Digital Forensics lab, argues that the abrupt transfer to the remote town of Gambaga in the North East Region is a “gross abuse of power” orchestrated by high-ranking officials intent on sidelining him.
Superintendent Gyebi asserts that the timing of his transfer suggests that his testimony before a parliamentary committee investigating a leaked audio recording—one that implicated several senior officers in a conspiracy to oust IGP Dampare—may have placed him in jeopardy, leading him to suspect that the transfer is retaliatory. He contends that it would be unjust to force him out while awaiting the President’s actions following the Speaker of Parliament’s directive, arguing that the previous state of affairs should be maintained.
The debacle erupted on 27 September when Gyebi received a surprise transfer order via WhatsApp, summarily moving him from his high-security post in Accra to a divisional crime position under a junior officer. Gyebi, who has led critical national investigations, states that this transfer is not only a personal affront but also a blow to Ghana’s fight against cybercrime. “This is an insult to my career and a clear signal to step aside,” he stated in his affidavit, adding that his abrupt removal could jeopardise ongoing sensitive investigations.
Gyebi’s grievances extend beyond the transfer itself. The manner in which the order was delivered—via WhatsApp from one DSP Seth Ankom of the Confidential Registry stationed at the Main Headquarters of the Police Service—bypassed standard approval channels, further underscoring his allegations of impropriety. According to protocol, transfers are typically communicated through departmental heads like COP Faustina Koduah Andoh-Kwofie, the Director General of CID; however, this high-stakes reassignment completely disregarded such norms.
Refusing to go quietly, Gyebi lodged a formal appeal with the National Transfer Board on 1 October, citing police service regulations that he believes were ignored in handling his transfer. However, he reports that his plea has gone unanswered. Meanwhile, DSP Abubakari Saddick has been frequently reporting to take over his office, and Gyebi continues to face mounting pressure to vacate his post. Demands to hand over his office keys and return his official vehicle have only intensified his resolve, with Gyebi dismissing these moves as “harassment” tactics.
In a hard-hitting affidavit, Gyebi claims that the Director-General of Police Administration’s decision to transfer him overstepped the authority of the Transfer Board. He labels the act a “power grab,” contending that the board, not the Director-General, has sole oversight of personnel reassignments. His legal team is advocating for a full investigation, suggesting that the motives behind his transfer are rooted in retaliation.
The Cyber Investigator stated that he oversees the Digital Forensic Laboratory of the Ghana Police Service without a deputy, highlighting that this is the only unit of its kind in the country. He explained that he received specialized training for cybercrime investigations and digital forensics at the request of the Ghana Police Service in the USA, India, Italy, Hungary, Botswana, Japan, and China. He emphasized that highly sensitive national cybercrime investigations are currently under his supervision, warning that abruptly abandoning these ongoing investigations would be detrimental to the Republic.
As pressure builds, Gyebi’s legal action has put the inner workings of Ghana’s police protocols under scrutiny. Supporters assert that the senior cop has every right to challenge the transfer, emphasizing that Ghana’s cybercrime investigations could be compromised if he is forced to step down abruptly. Meanwhile, whispers from within the police suggest that top officials are anxiously monitoring the proceedings, aware of the precedent this case could set.
As his case heads to court, Gyebi is refusing to back down, demanding that the court grant him the right to a fair hearing by the Transfer Board. He has called upon the 1st Respondent to justify the authority under which they initiated this transfer, insisting that the law is on his side.
With the nation watching closely, Superintendent Gyebi’s legal showdown could have far-reaching implications, testing the boundaries of power within Ghana’s police administration. All eyes are on the Accra courts as this unprecedented case unfolds, casting a spotlight on the inner conflicts of Ghana’s law enforcement hierarchy.
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